Obituary for Dr. Richard C. Niemtzow, MD, PhD, MPH
Colonel (Retired), U.S. Air Force Medical Corps
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The world of medical acupuncture mourns the loss of Dr. Richard C. Niemtzow (April 18, 1942 –
2 February, 2025), a previously retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, who was also a beloved
physician, colleague, mentor, teacher, leader and friend.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, Richard started his medical career as a Radiation Oncologist in the
U.S. Air Force. In 1994 he attended one of the first UCLA -Medical Acupuncture for Physicians
courses and a few years later, in 1997, became Editor-in-Chief of the American Academy of
Medical Acupuncture’s (AAMA) flagship journal, Medical Acupuncture—a position he held for
over 25 years--up until his untimely demise.

During his illustrious career, Richard spent 13 years as a council member for the National
Institute of Health’s National Advisory Council for Complementary and Alternative Health and
represented the United States Air Force Medical Service at the NATO Committee on Integrative
Medicine. He served as President of the AAMA from 2009-2011, and during his career, he
coordinated and led four different military-medical acupuncture exchanges with members of the
Chinese People’s Liberation Army. In 2015, he was awarded the title of Honorary Professor of
the People’s Liberation Army Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

A truly gifted clinician, Dr. Niemtzow will forever be renown for developing and promulgating the
technique known around the world as Battlefield Acupuncture -- a simple but elegant technique
for rapidly relieving pain, that he developed in the aftermath of the September 2001 terrorist
attack. This technique alone, has literally transformed the lives of millions of people all across
the globe.

In addition to developing the Battlefield Acupuncture technique, Richard also pioneered a series
of life-changing acupuncture techniques for treating post-radiation therapy xerostomia (i.e.
chronic dry mouth), macular degeneration, post-traumatic stress, tinnitus and even post-COVID
anosmia.

His legacy will endure forever, in the hearts and lives of all who have had the fortune to know
and love him, and by the many individuals who have benefited from his innovative techniques.
Dr. Niemtzow is survived by his devoted wife, Dr. Songxuan Zhou Niemtzow, his three
children—Angelina, Elisa, and Michael (and spouse, Jennifer), three grandchildren-- Leonie,
Benjamin, and Alexander, his sister, Helen, and his first wife, Jacqueline Breda (Niemtzow).
On Sunday, February 9, 2025 Visitation from 10:30am -11:30am and memorial services starting
at 11:30am will be held at the Money & King Funeral Home at 171 Maple Avenue W, Vienna,
VA, 22180.

Burial is being arranged at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.